Cougars' offense breaks out for 9-1 win over Loons

Using a 5-run first inning to set the tone, the Kane County Cougars (32-12, 68-44) grabbed the series opener from the Great Lakes Loons (18-26, 56-56) at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Tuesday evening.

Bringing 10 batters to the plate in the opening frame, the Cougars' offense scored 5 runs off Great Lakes' starter Isaac Anderson (1-2).

With two runners on, Marty Herum's bouncing ball that wasn't able to be held by Nick Dean brought in the game's first run as Henry Castillo followed with a run-scoring fielder's choice. Two batters later,

Colin Bray's RBI single scored Castillo and made it a 3-0 Cougars' advantage. Michael Perez reached on an error that scored Cody Regis and Chuck Taylor's second hit of the inning put the Cougars ahead 5-0.

Bray helped the Cougars find the scoreboard in the third when he launched a solo shot over the right field wall for a 6-0 lead.

The Cougars never looked back from there and provided a healthy cushion for starter Jared Miller (3-3). In his first start since rejoining the Cougars' rotation, Miller worked 5 innings of 1-run baseball. The left-hander walked 5 batters, but still struck out six and stranded eight in his first Cougar win since early May.

Ildemaro Vargas, Herum and Castillo all drove in a run in the bottom of the eighth for the Cougars' largest lead of the day at 9-1.

After a combined 4 scoreless innings from Chris Oliver, Ryan Burr and Nick Baker, the Cougars finished off the 8-run victory. The Cougars continue their series against Great Lakes on Wednesday.

Lefty Josh Taylor (2-1, 1.93) will toe the rubber against Great Lakes' Tommy Bergjans (0-1, 3.38). First pitch from Fifth Third Bank Ballpark is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.